1996 Buick Regal from North America - Comments

First problem that lasted during the entire time I owned the car, was water somehow filled up my right tail light every time it rained, and eventually would kill the bulb.

Since it is the standard GM 3100 series engine, around every 40k miles, something with the head gaskets or piston rings... I can't remember which... would fail. I had to get this fixed by two different mechanics, costing 500 dollars each time.

Had to replace the water pump after 85000 miles, costing a good 700.

The cable to pop the hood open snapped.

The cigarette lighter sparked while I was driving and killed my battery, and permanently killing the cigarette lighter.

And after 80k something miles, there was a huge problem with acceleration, because I would give it gas, and the car would slow down as I would push.

Windshield wiper fluid pump broke the week I bought the car.

The fabric in the interior ceiling starts to peel down and I don't know why.

A hole in the cooling system leaked onto hot engine parts and would make smoke/steam come from under my hood (very embarrassing and not to mention low coolant is very dangerous).

Plus some more that I can't think of.

This car gets a 1/10 in my opinion.

I could probably guarantee you that the 3800 series is a great car, and as you can see, most people rate it good. But the 3100 series was a nightmare from hell. Honestly, on average I brought my car into the shop once every 2-3 months, costing me around 400 dollars each time.

Finally in summer of 08, there were no problems with the car the ENTIRE summer, and then September of 08 I paid my respects to my dead Buick Regal. The engine was BLOWN out of nowhere!!! Totally blown!!

I had a friend look at it, and cost to repair would be around 2000, and the car was probably worth less than my huffy bike from when I was a kid.

This is the absolute worst car ever made by GM! Never ever ever get a mid 90's GM car with a 3100 series engine, because it will give you nightmares.

My friend owns a 97 Oldsmobile Cutlass 3100 series engine. And he has the same problems, but at least his car broke at 100k miles *yay*.

By all means get the 3800 model. BUT DO NOT GET THE 3100 SERIES EVER!!!

I got 231,000 miles out of my 94 Buick with the 3.1 until the transmission went. However, the engine is in another car still running.

There is a problem with the 3.8L and 3.1L engines, which is the intake manifold is plastic and if the car overheats or if it just goes for whatever reason, your engine is shot. It's actually fairly common from other manufacturers to do the same thing these days, but most other cars don't last long enough for it to be a problem.

You were one of those unlucky enough where it killed the car.

Other than that problem, 99% of the time you can't get a more reliable engine.

I purchased my 1996 Buick Regal Custom 2nd hand with relatively low miles on it in 2003. It now has 250,000Km on the clock and has never run better. My intake gasket is perfect because I have changed the anti-freeze on a yearly basis. I run Mobil one oil and change my own oil at 5,000Km. The motor purrs like a kitten and uses little if any oil between changes. I just bought a 850 lbs cargo trailer and haul it to all local flea markets to sell auto parts from. Not one problem with the motor or overheating. I cannot understand why anyone would consider Japanese scrap when we build such great vehicles here in North America... only we do not spend the money or time to maintain them... probably.

Well, I'm just about to the walking stage. I looked at my driveway this evening and saw 3 GM vehicles all about dead. 1995 Grand Prix-3100 engine, 1996 Monte Carlo-3100 engine, 1996 Buick Rivera 3800 engine. All losing coolant. Yell, all will start but won't get far because of overheating.

Gave away a 1990 Toyato Camry to a friend. Had way more miles and still very dependable. Why did I ever become dependant on GM?

Jj.